Adaptive Control Patents (Class 701/58)
  • Publication number: 20140214291
    Abstract: An automatic shift apparatus includes a rotation shaft, a dog clutch gear shift mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit controls first moving speed to be faster than second moving speed on moving a sleeve in an engaged state engaged with one of a first clutch ring and a second clutch ring to a neutral position defined at a position between the first clutch ring and the second clutch ring where the first moving speed is a speed of moving the sleeve in the engaged state to a target position defined between the neutral position and the mentioned one of the first clutch ring and the second clutch ring the sleeve is engaged with and where the second moving speed is a speed of moving the sleeve from the target position to the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko KOMURA, Yuuki OHTA, Kyosuke Mori
  • Publication number: 20140214292
    Abstract: A control device for continuously variable transmission includes an operating state detection means for detecting an operating state of a vehicle including a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening, a control means for controlling a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission based on the operating state, an acceleration request determination means for determining the presence or absence of an acceleration request of a driver based on the accelerator pedal opening, and a speed ratio setting means for setting a speed reduction ratio controlled by the control means to be smaller with an increase in an acceleration start vehicle speed if the accelerator pedal opening is equal during acceleration. The control means updates the acceleration start vehicle speed to a vehicle speed at the time of a determination after determining that the accelerator pedal opening has been increased during acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: NISSON MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Suzuki, Akihiro Makiyama
  • Patent number: 8788165
    Abstract: An abnormal state diagnosis method for an automatic transmission oil temperature sensor includes: a warm-up judging step of judging whether a sensor value from an engine side temperature sensor in an engine warm-up state indicates the engine warm-up state; a sensor normal operation judgment step of starting to judge whether the engine side temperature sensor including the warm-up judgment result normally performs a temperature detection operation; a provisional judgment step of judging whether an upper or lower deviation width between the sensor value of the engine side temperature sensor and an oil temperature sensor value from an automatic transmission oil temperature sensor is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value; and a final judgment step of determining the judgment result by the provisional judgment step when the automatic transmission control unit receives a permission signal from the engine control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Yuyama, Hajime Tasaka, Masahiro Hamano
  • Publication number: 20140200779
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission is capable of continuously changing an output of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and allowing a transmission mode to be switchable between a continuous transmission mode in which a transmission ratio is set continuously and a stepped transmission mode in which the transmission ratio is set stepwise. A transmission mode selector is configured to change the transmission mode in such a manner that in a case where the stepped transmission mode is selected, when a engine rotation speed reaches a first predetermined rotation speed, then falls below a second predetermined rotation speed which is lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, and further falls below a third predetermined rotation speed, the transmission mode is switched from the stepped transmission mode to the continuous transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihira AOKI
  • Patent number: 8781659
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for controlling transition between an electric vehicle (EV) mode and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode in a hybrid vehicle. More specifically, the technique includes first determining a drive mode of the hybrid vehicle by monitoring an average vehicle speed and an accelerator position sensor. Next, an engine on map value is determined for entering into the HEV mode and a hysteresis map value is determined for controlling the transition between the EV mode and the HEV mode based on a battery's state-of-charge (SOC), the average vehicle speed, and the drive mode; Based on the above steps, the technique determines whether the hybrid vehicle should transition between the EV mode or the HEV mode based on a driver's requisite torque calculated by monitoring the accelerator position sensor and a gear position sensor and on the determined engine on map value and hysteresis map value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Eun Kim
  • Publication number: 20140188356
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a shift sensor and an ECU that switches a shift range based on a combination of shift signals received from the shift sensor. The ECU includes a determining unit and a switching unit. The determining unit determines, based on how a shift signal pattern has changed (the number and type of shift signals that have changed), whether or not to execute first fail-safe traveling in which a shift range before occurrence of a shift abnormality is maintained. In the event of a shift abnormality, in a case where execution of the first fail-safe traveling is permitted, the switching unit executes the first fail-safe traveling to maintain a shift range before occurrence of the shift abnormality, and in a case where execution of the first fail-safe traveling is prohibited, the switching unit executes second fail-safe traveling to switch a shift range to an N range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Hokoi
  • Patent number: 8768586
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle equipped with an internal-combustion engine with a “stop and start” system. The method provides, during vehicle running, for learning the “duty cycle” values associated with the odd gears and even gears, determining the “maximum duty cycle” value for the odd gears and “minimum duty cycle” value for the even gears, determining a duty-cycle band to which the “neutral gear” condition corresponds on the basis of the “minimum duty cycle” value for the even gears and “maximum duty cycle” value for the odd gears, and controlling the “stop and start” system on the basis of the duty-cycle band to which the “neutral gear” condition corresponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Zanotti, Domenico Tavella, Ferdinando De Cristofaro, Stefano Sgatti
  • Patent number: 8768587
    Abstract: A method of operating a machine at a worksite includes determining data associated with at least one of a machine operation at the worksite and a worksite condition, and determining, based on the data, that one of machine propulsion and machine retarding will be required for greater than a corresponding threshold. The method also includes determining, in response to determining that machine propulsion will be required, a desired propulsion gear, and recommending the propulsion gear to an operator of the machine. The method further includes determining, in response to determining that machine retarding will be required, a desired retarding gear, and recommending the retarding gear to the operator. In such a method, the retarding gear is determined based on a maximum temperature associated with the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan J. Wulf, Christopher M. Sprock, Mahmoud M. Tobaa, Mallikharjuna Rao Boddu
  • Patent number: 8768590
    Abstract: A transmission ECU 12 determines whether or not the conditions for executing a neutral control operation are satisfied (step S11), and measures hydraulic oil temperature if it determines that the execution conditions are satisfied (step S12). Then, the transmission ECU 12 sets a target speed ratio for a torque converter 3 corresponding to the measured hydraulic oil temperature (step S13), and performs a neutral control operation to bring the speed ratio of the torque converter 3 equal to the target speed ratio (step S14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Tsukamoto, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 8762016
    Abstract: A method of actuating a form-locking shift element of a transmission. To shift from a current gear to a target gear, an actuation time is determined for the locking shift element to be engaged during a gear shift depending on a reaction time of the assemblies participating during actuation of the locking shift element, an engaging time of the locking shift element, and at least one filtered signal such that the locking shift element is engaged within a specified rotational speed window encompassing a specified differential rotational speed. It is verified whether the locking shift element can be engaged within the specified rotational speed window depending on at least one unfiltered signal, and, if the locking shift element can be engaged within the specified rotational speed window, the actuation is unaffected; conversely, if the locking shift element cannot be engaged within the specified rotational speed window, the actuation is affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 8761979
    Abstract: The present invention protects a high voltage battery in a hybrid electric vehicle. More particularly, it makes it possible to prevent a battery from being overcharged when a motor or an inverter system breaks, with the hybrid vehicle traveling. The technique for protecting a high voltage battery in a hybrid electric vehicle illustratively comprises: checking whether a motor functions properly; setting a virtual acceleration pedal value and keeping a present desired shifting map, when the motor breaks; determining a desired shifting stage according to the present desired shifting map based on the virtual acceleration pedal value; and, in certain embodiments, switching or keeping the engine control mode by comparing a value of a predetermined maximum engine speed region with the present engine speed in order to prevent high-speed rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seok Young Yun
  • Publication number: 20140172255
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission. The control device configured to determine if the automatic transmission is in such a condition that the automatic transmission accelerates the vehicle at predetermined acceleration when the output command value is transmitted to the control device for the motor. The output command value is not cancelled if it is determined by the determining means that the automatic transmission is not in such a condition that the automatic transmission accelerates the vehicle at the predetermined acceleration, and the output command value is cancelled if it is determined by the determining means that the automatic transmission is in such a condition that the automatic transmission accelerates the vehicle at the predetermined acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Fushimi, Yasuhito Suzuki, Tsunekazu Inakura, Masatoshi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20140172254
    Abstract: A compression control device for a continuously variable transmission is provided in which when estimating the torque ratio, which is the ratio of the actually transmitted torque relative to the maximum transmittable torque of the continuously variable transmission, based on the transmission characteristics for transmitting the given variable component of the input shaft to the output shaft via an endless belt, a slip identifier, which is an indicator for the ratio of the amplitude of the variable component between the input shaft and the output shaft, or a phase lag, which is an indicator for difference in phase of the variable component, is used. It is possible to improve the control responsiveness and reduce the computation load of the control device and to improve the power transmission efficiency of the continuously variable transmission while preventing the endless belt thereof from slipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyohei Sakagami, Hirohiko Totsuka, Masato Shigenaga
  • Patent number: 8755981
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes estimating an expected coefficient of friction of the clutch, estimating a value of an expected torque required to maintain a constant slip of the clutch for a current input torque applied to the transmission, and determining a value of an actual torque applied to the clutch to maintain the constant slip of the clutch at the current input torque. An actual coefficient of friction of the clutch is calculated by dividing the actual torque applied to the clutch by the expected torque applied to the clutch, and multiplying that quotient by the expected coefficient of friction of the clutch. A feed forward torque command is then adjusted based upon the actual coefficient of friction of the clutch to define a revised value of the feed forward torque command, which may then be used to control the clutch for various control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Williams, Steven P. Moorman, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 8755969
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension control apparatus includes a user operating device and a control device. The control device is operatively coupled to the user operating device to selectively control a front bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states and a rear bicycle suspension between a plurality of operating states. The control device is configured to selectively change the operating states of both the front and rear bicycle suspensions to different ones of the operating states in response to a single operation of the user operating device. The control device controls the front and rear bicycle suspensions such that a first operating state change operation of one of the front and rear bicycle suspensions occurs later than a second operating state change operation of the other of the front and rear bicycle suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Hideki Ikemoto, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8751119
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of changing a target shift stage when a current shift change mode is set to an automatic shift change mode and when a driver has intention to change a shift stage, changing a shift range to an N range when he/she has intention for neutral, maintaining the automatic shift change mode when it is determined that he/she does not have intention for neutral but he/she has intention to switch the shift change mode and when such determination is made for the first time after return from the N range, and switching the shift change mode to a manual shift change mode when such determination is not made for the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yosuke Takashiro
  • Patent number: 8744707
    Abstract: An engine powered wheeled machine having improved engine over speed and under speed protection includes a parallel path transmission having a gear train with first and second transmission inputs and a transmission output, and including a hydraulic variator having a variator output driving the first transmission input, the hydraulic variator having a variator pump and a variator motor, the displacement of the variator pump being controlled by a variator actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8744708
    Abstract: Surplus pressure is obtained from a difference between a hydraulic pressure value detected by a hydraulic pressure sensor and a target supplied hydraulic pressure. A determination is made about whether or not a possible hydraulic pressure in a prescribed time will become lower than a minimum required hydraulic pressure based on a current surplus pressure and a changing rate of the surplus pressure. If the possible hydraulic pressure is lower than the minimum required hydraulic pressure, correction is conducted to increase supplied hydraulic pressure. Accordingly, control is conducted so that the regularly required surplus pressure can be reduced to a minimum required amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Totsuka, Hitoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 8744704
    Abstract: A method for determination of one or more downshift and upshift points for a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine connected to the gearbox, where a downshift point represents a first engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift, and an upshift point represents a second engine speed at which the gearbox effects an upshift. One or more downshift and upshift points are determined relative to an engine target speed which is a desired speed for the engine. A system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Anders Kjell, Tom Nyström
  • Patent number: 8740748
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20140149008
    Abstract: A control method for an automatic transmission includes a step of canceling the shift performed by a shift operation for performing shifting in the same direction as that of the shifting performed by automatic shift control, when the shift operation is performed before the input revolution speed correlation value of the automatic transmission becomes a predetermined value, after the automatic shift control has been started in a manual shift mode, a step of switching a shift stage display at a timing at which the shift operation that is to be canceled has been performed, and a step of switching the shift stage display at a timing at which the input revolution speed correlation value becomes the predetermined value when a shift operation is not performed within a period of time from when the automatic shift control is started till when the input revolution speed correlation value becomes the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsutaka SHIBATA, Kosuke TAKEGAWA, Nobuyuki SAKATA, Kazuo SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20140149009
    Abstract: A method of a dual clutch transmission, a dual clutch transmission, and a vehicle equipped with the same which can reduce the load on a clutch on a start gear side to reduce the wear thereof and therefore make the clutch replacement interval longer. There are a first input shaft configured to be connected to a first clutch and a second input shaft configured to be connected to a second clutch. A set of odd-numbered gears and a set of even-numbered gears are arranged respectively across the first input shaft and second input shaft and an output shaft. When a vehicle starts, an absorbed energy Eabs by the second clutch is calculated while a start gear is partially connected to the second input shaft. The first clutch is partially connected (half clutch state) to the first input shaft, to which a support gear is synchronously engaged, when the absorbed energy exceeds a set value which is a predetermined threshold, the support gear having a gear ratio greater than that of the start gear by one speed or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Koji Terashima
  • Patent number: 8738228
    Abstract: A method for tuning a vehicle's performance may include measuring a plurality of parameters representing the vehicle's current handling condition and the vehicle's limit handling condition, determining a margin between the vehicle's current handling condition and limit handling condition, characterizing the driver's dynamic control of the vehicle based on the margin, and altering at least one tunable vehicle performance parameter based on the characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar Petrov Filev, Jianbo Lu, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Fling Tseng
  • Patent number: 8738253
    Abstract: An ECU controls an automatic transmission that can be manually shifted. The ECU executes a program that includes i) the step of, when there are a plurality of allowed gears that are allowed at the time of a downshift operation, continuously determining whether the engine speed NE after a downshift will be in a preset overspeed region for each allowed gear when the second and subsequent allowed gears are lower than an output gear, and when there is an allowed gear that will result in the engine speed NE being in the overspeed region, ii) the step of cancelling that allowed gear. Thus this control appropriately suppresses overspeeding of the engine while executing a manual shift in response to an operation by the driver without bothering the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitaori, Hiroyuki Sawada, Yoshio Hasegawa, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Toshihiro Fukumasu, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Seiji Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 8738255
    Abstract: Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Carter, Brad P Pohl, Loren T McDaniel, Cyril Keilers, Tim Ruggles, David Rogers, Eric Diehl, Austin Orand, Alan Mark Delz, Paul Argus Parks, Mark E Bartholomew, Christopher M Vasiliotis
  • Patent number: 8738254
    Abstract: A non-synchronous automatic transmission up-shift control utilizes input torque measurements. The input torque is measured during an up-shift having preparatory, torque, and inertia phases. Target input torque profiles for the torque and inertia phases are determined based on the input torque during the preparatory phase. During the torque phase, an engine torque is controlled to cause the input torque to achieve the target profile for the torque phase. During the inertia phase, the on-coming clutch is controlled to cause the input torque to achieve the target profile for the inertia phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seung Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii, Bradley Dean Riedle, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • Patent number: 8738245
    Abstract: A control apparatus which is capable of enhancing the accuracy of control of a controlled object having characteristics that dead time and response delay thereof vary. The control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU calculates four predicted values as values of a controlled variable associated with respective times when four dead times elapse, respectively, calculates four weight function values associated with an exhaust gas volume, and calculates four products by multiplying the predicted values by the weight function values, respectively. The ECU sets the total sum of the four products as a predicted equivalent ratio and calculates an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient such that the predicted equivalent ratio becomes equal to a target equivalent ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Yasui
  • Publication number: 20140142823
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission, a dual clutch transmission, and a vehicle equipped with the same which can reduce the load on a clutch on a start gear side to reduce the wear thereof and therefore make the clutch replacement interval longer. There are a first input shaft to be connected to a first clutch and a second input shaft to be connected to a second clutch. A set of odd-numbered gears and a set of even-numbered gears are arranged respectively across the first input shaft and second input shaft and an output shaft. When a vehicle starts, a start gear and a support gear are synchronously engaged to the second input shaft and the first input shaft, respectively, and simultaneously connecting the first clutch and the second clutch partially (half clutch state) to the first input shaft and the second input shaft, respectively, the support gear having a gear ratio larger than that of the start gear by one speed or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Koji Terashima
  • Patent number: 8731793
    Abstract: A mobile machine includes a propulsion system. The propulsion system may include a prime mover, a traction device, and a clutch operable to transmit power produced by the prime mover to the traction device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls operable to control the clutch. The propulsion-system controls may include at least one information processor configured to estimate a temperature of the clutch based at least in part on an estimated slippage of the clutch and a fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mirko V. Barbir, Stacy Linn Grove, Yun Liu, Gerry Owen McCann, John Dewey Gates
  • Publication number: 20140136061
    Abstract: When a driver attempts to hurriedly start driving a stopped vehicle, for example, the driver may, without realizing it, begin operating an accelerator pedal before shifting a shift lever from a non-drive position to a drive position. In such a situation, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position while the accelerator pedal is being operated, a drive power limiting process is implemented for limiting the drive power when the drive power is output from a drive source in accordance with the amount that the accelerator is being operated. As a result, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position in the abovementioned manner, it is possible to restrict starting of the vehicle, which is caused by the transmission of drive power from the drive source to the wheels. This reduces the strange sensation experienced by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi, Masashi Takagi
  • Patent number: 8725369
    Abstract: A method for driving a vehicle which has a gearbox connected to a combustion engine and the gearbox is capable of being set to a number of different transmission ratios in order to deliver motive force to a driveshaft for propulsion of the vehicle. The vehicle is arranged for driving in at least a first mode and a second mode, such that in the first mode the gearbox is switched to a low transmission ratio and in the second mode the combustion engine is disconnected from the at least one driveshaft. When the vehicle is being driven in a situation where there is or will within a specific time be a reduced need for motive force for the vehicle, the method determines whether the vehicle should be driven according to the first mode or the second mode, on the basis of an ambient parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Anders Jensen
  • Patent number: 8725372
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the point of engagement of a friction clutch of a step-variable transmission for a motor vehicle, in particular a friction clutch of a dual clutch transmission. The friction clutch is controllably actuated by means of a clutch actuator and at least one synchronizer shifting clutch is controllably actuated by means of a shift actuator for the engagement and disengagement of a gear ratio of the spur-gear transmission. A set-point of the clutch actuator for the point of engagement of the friction clutch is adjusted as a function of a speed gradient value, which ensues from a transitional state with the friction clutch actuated and the shifting clutch actuated, once the shifting clutch is opened. The transitional state is established by setting the clutch actuator and the shift actuator to a respective transitional value substantially at the same time or, at least in sections, in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Rinck, Markus Schuerlein, Tobias Soller
  • Patent number: 8725367
    Abstract: In a control apparatus and a control method for a vehicle automatic transmission in which a plurality of gears with different speed ratios are achieved by selectively engaging a plurality of friction engagement devices and a one-way clutch, if an acceleration request is made in the case where the one-way clutch is in an idling state when a first predetermined gear is to be achieved by engaging the one-way clutch, a pre-synchronization control is executed to transmit torque through a predetermined friction engagement device used to achieve a second predetermined gear at which the one-way clutch is maintained in an idling state, and to continue to change a rotational direction of the one-way clutch toward a rotational direction in which the one-way clutch is brought to a synchronized state, according to the acceleration request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo, Motonori Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140129100
    Abstract: A hierarchical control system for a tandem axle assembly for a vehicle is provided. The hierarchical control system includes a vehicle level controller, an actuator, a shift controller, and a sensor. The shift controller is capable of placing the tandem axle assembly in at least a first operating condition and a second operating condition using the actuator. In response to the sensor and an operating condition of at least one of the power source and the transmission of the vehicle, the shift controller adjusts a manner of placing the tandem axle assembly in at least one of the first operating condition and the second operating condition. The hierarchical control system facilitates performing a shifting procedure in an automatic manner or as desired by an operator of the vehicle without excessively increasing a cost and a complexity of the tandem axle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Nellums, Ananthakrishnan Surianarayanan, Sameer A. Joshi, Sajeev C. Krishnan, Daniel G. Smedley, Ronald K. Markyvech, Sidharth Renganathan, Steven J. Wesolowski
  • Patent number: 8718882
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission brake that is actuated by inlet and outlet valves. For determining when to transmit a disengagement signal for opening the outlet valve, the current input and output speeds are determined and the respective gradients of these speeds are calculated. Variation of the input speed, during the disengagement of the brake, is determined as a function of the input gradient, the optimum time for reaching the synchronous speed, during brake disengagement, is determined from the input speed variation as a function of the output gradient, and the time interval until transmission of the disengagement signal is determined as a function of the current input and output speeds and their gradients, by a back-calculation from the time when the synchronous speed is reached, taking a disengagement dead time of the brake, between transmitting the disengagement signal and start of disengagement, into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Marcus Gansohr
  • Patent number: 8718885
    Abstract: A shift control device for vehicle is provided capable of controlling an actuator to switch shift ranges of a transmission and switching establishment of operating states between a first operating state enabling a detection of a reference position for controlling the actuator during an initial operation of the actuator, and a second operating state disabling the detection of the reference position, besides the first and second operating states, a third operating state being able to be established with an inability to detect the reference position but with an ability to detect vehicle information; and when the second operating state is switched to the first operating state with the third operating state continuously remained, after switching from the first operating state to the second operating state, the reference position being detected again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Ueno, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Takashi Yuma
  • Patent number: 8712649
    Abstract: A transmission controller permits a 2-1 shift, in which a gear position of a subtransmission mechanism is changed from a second speed to a first speed, when an accelerator pedal has been depressed to or above a predetermined opening. The gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is changed from the second speed to the first speed when an actual through speed ratio passes a mode switch line from a High side to a Low side while the 2-1 shift is permitted in the subtransmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tateki Jozaki, Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Mamiko Inoue, Seiichiro Takahashi, Tatsuo Ochiai, Masato Koga, Masaaki Uchida, Ryoji Kadono
  • Patent number: 8706368
    Abstract: A secondary drive device of a mobile working appliance with an electronic control unit for actuating a power take-off shaft clutch arranged between a transmission and a power take-off shaft is disclosed. According to the disclosure, the control unit is designed with a flange-mounting function unit which, when activated, executes a rotary position correction of the power take-off shaft with respect to the drive shaft. Furthermore, a method for coupling and/or uncoupling a working machine to/from the secondary drive device of a mobile working appliance as an energy source is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Maigler
  • Patent number: 8701807
    Abstract: An Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and a method and a computer program product are provided for the control of a drive train for a hybrid vehicle, and a drive train including such a control device is also provided. The hybrid vehicle includes an upstream located Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) which is connected to an Electronic Motor/Generator (EMG) via a Master Clutch (MC). The EMG is connected to the wheels via a Mechanical Transmission (MT) including synchronization. The ECU is programmed to control the MC and the MT when shifting from a generating mode, in which the ICE is powering the EMG at or near standstill, to a driving mode in such a way that at least a part of the inertial energy liberated when retarding the EMG in order to synchronize the rotational speed of the EMG and the MT is transferred to the wheels by using the synchronization in the MT to retard the EMG and transfer of power to the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Hans Stervik, Jan Öberg
  • Patent number: 8688336
    Abstract: A system for controlling power downshifts of a transmission includes a flare generation module, a flare control module, and a shift control module. The flare generation module generates turbine speed flare by decreasing pressure applied to an off-going clutch of the transmission. The flare control module decreases the turbine speed flare by increasing the pressure applied to the off-going clutch of the transmission. The shift control module increases a pressure applied to an on-coming clutch of the transmission when the turbine speed flare is less than a predetermined amount from a desired turbine speed flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Patent number: 8682550
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by at least one control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator controls movement of the second sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Nelson, Brian R. Gillingham, Urs Wenger, Donovan L. Fredrickson, Brian D. Krosschell, Karl J. Grajkowski, Philipp Meyer, Donald E. Frost, Beat R. Kohler, Ronald Zurbruegg, Peter J. Erasmus
  • Patent number: 8682548
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle washing mode for a vehicle equipped with shift-by-wire shifting device, may include performing an N-range-off determining step that determines whether a shift lever is in an N-range when an engine stops, performing an ACC determining step that determines whether the vehicle is in an ACC state, and performing a shifting step that shifts a P-range state of a transmission to a N-range state thereof by operating an actuator, when the N-range-off determining step determines that the shift lever is in the N-range when the engine was stopped, and when the ACC determining step determines that the vehicle is in the ACC state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hangil Park
  • Patent number: 8682549
    Abstract: Is provided herein a torque-limiting electronically controlled CVT comprising a drive portion having a drive pulley including two opposed sheaves adapted to be actuated with an electric motor to set a transmission ratio between an engine and a ground contacting rotating member of a vehicle, an input module adapted to receive a signal indicative of whether a ground-contacting rotating member is airborne, a processing module adapted to determine a desired CVT ratio, and an output module adapted to actuate the electric motor to obtain the desired CVT ratio to match the circumferential velocity of the vehicle's airborne ground-contacting rotating member with the speed of the vehicle in order to limit a mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive system of the vehicle. Also provided hereby is a vehicle equipped with the CVT, a kit including such a CVT and a method of managing the CVT to limit the mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive train of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: CVTech Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert Roberge, David Levasseur, Christian Mercier
  • Publication number: 20140081540
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes sensing an operation signal generated from an accelerator pedal sensor, performing a predetermined transmission in a predetermined transmission section from a current gear to a target gear, determining a change in the speed of the operation signal, controlling a constant value at which a release hydraulic pressure signal is maintained constant during the transmission in response to the change, controlling an increase slope of an engagement hydraulic pressure signal before the transmission is completed in response to the change, and controlling a decrease slope of the release hydraulic pressure signal before the transmission is completed in response to the change. A transmission system for performing a method of controlling a transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byeong Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 8676459
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle having an engine configured to output a variable torque, can include a transmission with a plurality of gear ratios and selectively driven by the variable torque, and a pair of wheels selectively driven by the transmission. The system can include a longitudinal acceleration sensor and a controller. The controller can be in electrical communication with the longitudinal acceleration sensor. The controller can be configured to determine an inertial value of the vehicle based on data from the longitudinal acceleration sensor prior to a shift from one of the plurality of gear ratios to another of the plurality of gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Darren F. Stursa, Joshua D. Sigmund
  • Patent number: 8676460
    Abstract: A shift control device is provided for a vehicle of shift-by-wire type having shift operation detecting means electrically detecting a shift operation of a driver, range switching means switching a shift range in response to the shift operation of the driver, failure detecting means detecting a failure in a shift operation detection executed by the shift operation detecting means, and vehicle state detecting means detecting a vehicle state upon detection of the failure in the shift operation detection, the range switching means being switched to a fail-safe mode, when the shift operation detection is recovered from a failed state to a normal state and the range switching means is switched from the fail-safe mode to a normal control mode, a recovery condition for determining switching of the fail-safe mode to the normal control mode being altered depending on the vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Ueno, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Ichiro Kitaori, Hiroatsu Endo, Takashi Yuma, Masayuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140074364
    Abstract: A method of actuating a form-locking shift element of a transmission. To shift from a current gear to a target gear, an actuation time is determined for the locking shift element to be engaged during a gear shift depending on a reaction time of the assemblies participating during actuation of the locking shift element, an engaging time of the locking shift element, and at least one filtered signal such that the locking shift element is engaged within a specified rotational speed window encompassing a specified differential rotational speed. It is verified whether the locking shift element can be engaged within the specified rotational speed window depending on at least one unfiltered signal, and, if the locking shift element can be engaged within the specified rotational speed window, the actuation is unaffected; conversely, if the locking shift element cannot be engaged within the specified rotational speed window, the actuation is affected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Klaus STEINHAUSER
  • Patent number: 8670907
    Abstract: A first acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating a host vehicle in a first acceleration zone following a first zone ahead of the host vehicle, and a second acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating the host vehicle in a second acceleration zone following a second zone ahead of the first zone. A control is executed to set the gear ratio of the host vehicle to the first acceleration gear ratio in a first deceleration zone in order to decelerate the host vehicle before entering the first zone. A control is executed to set the gear ratio of the host vehicle to the second acceleration gear ratio when the host vehicle must decelerate with respect to the second zone while traveling in the first acceleration gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Kondou, Takayuki Miyajima, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8670908
    Abstract: An automatic transmission including an input shaft connected to a drive source; an output shaft connected to a driving wheel; a one-way clutch; friction engagement elements which establish speeds by changing a transmission path between the input shaft and the output shaft based on the application state of the friction engagement elements and application of the one-way clutch, one of the friction engagement elements being a brake that is applied when coasting in a take-off speed. The automatic transmission also includes a controller that determines whether it is possible to initially establish the take-off speed using the one-way clutch based on a predetermined condition, and, if not possible, then the controller establishes the take-off speed by applying the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimizu, Kenichi Tsuchida, Akitomo Suzuki, Kazunori Ishikawa, Masamichi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20140067213
    Abstract: An operational parameter determination system is disclosed. The operational parameter determination system may include an operational parameter predictor configured to calculate an a priori estimated operational parameter of the machine based on a previously estimated operational parameter. The operational parameter determination system may also include a gear shifting compensator configured to determine whether a gear shifting is in progress, and when the gear shifting is in progress, to output the a priori estimated operational parameter as a determined operational parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Russell FRIEND, Drew Alan Fehr, Frank Arthur Willis